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COLUMBIA, SC (January 27, 2010) - House Bill (H.3418) is currently in the Senate being blocked by the Democrats! They have over 1,000 amendments on the desk for the bill in order to filabuster and shut down the Senate and keep us to getting to other legislation that will protect our existing businesses and give new businesses a reason to locate in SC, providing much needed jobs!
We need help getting this bill passed. The Senate amendment helps all involved and makes it easier for citizens to vote (shorter lines, more convenient, more secure). I am also attaching a recent file showing the number of registered voters without ID and the facts that whites will be impacted more than minorities (negating the myth that African-American voters will be impacted the most)! We currently don't have early voting in SC - you can vote absentee, but only with an excuse. This bill will allow for early voting and make it more accessible to all voters.
The Spartanburg County Election Commission and Voter Registration Board (made up of Democrats and Republicans who work in "the trenches" during the election) have voiced their support of this legislation.
Groups like ACORN will continue to exist and come into states who have weak election laws. I feel that we should be proactive with our Election Reform Legislation and protect our state from ANY potential voter fraud. Having to show an ID, like a lot of other states, will make fraud groups think twice before coming to our state and doing the damage they have done in other states.
Please review this file and read the Senate Amendment Below:
H. 3418 -- VOTER ID, EARLY VOTING, ELECTION REFORM BILL
SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Voter ID
1. Requires photo identification in order to cast vote
a. Provides list of accepted forms of ID
b. Rescinds provision allowing use of signed voter registration card
2. Poll managers must compare photo with person presenting ID
3. Lack of photo ID
a. Voters can cast provisional ballot
b. Ballot only counted if elector brings valid ID to county board of registration prior to certification of election
4. Dispute of validity of photo ID
a. Voters can cast provisional ballot
b. Provisional ballot must be determined under current voter challenge law
5. Provides guidelines for lack of photo ID due to religious reasons
6. Allows for replacement of voter registration card via mail, telephone
7. DMV charges for photo ID
a. $5 charge for ages 5-16
b. FREE of charge for persons 17 years and older
Early & Absentee Voting
1. Early voting centers requirements:
a. Electors must cast ballot in county of residence
b. Minimum of one center per county
c. Voting opens 15 days prior to election
d. Voting closes 3 days prior to election
e. County board of elections must set hours of operation
f. Open a minimum of one Saturday in the early voting period
2. Requires that the Executive Director of the State Election Commission, for recording purposes, distinguish between voters casting absentee ballots and early ballots in a general election
3. Opens early voting period to all registered voters
4. Requires voters cast absentee ballots by mail
5. Maintains stipulations for absentee voting
6. Allows applications for absentee voting to be obtained until the day prior to election -- a completed ballot must be returned to board of registration by close of polls on election day
7. Allows additional factors to be considered when determining a person’s domicile
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Supporting Document
